NGD - Martin HD-35

[Sprintbob]

I've been wanting a larger body guitar for my collection and was really interested in taking a serious look at either a new re-voiced 618 or 616. I convinced myself that the 616 might be similar to my 814 and 812 so I was leaning more towards the 618. In the process I visited a local GC where I had played an HD-28 and a Gibson SJ-100 and liked both guitars. On my second visit, I tried a Gibson J-45 but it did not move me. While noodling around with a new HD-28, the salesman showed me a mint 2013 HD-35 and it had more brightness and clarity than the HD-28 while still retaining most of the low end. I went home with the HD-35 at a price that was several hundred less than a new D-28 so I feel like I got a great deal.

It's been interesting how the HD-35 compares to my Taylors. Surprisingly it does everything well but I think it excels at flat-picking so far. It does strum a bit louder and you can drive it a bit harder than my 814 but I don't believe I have the best string set on it currently. The tone is different also but nice. It's not whether one is better than the other, just a different sound. Owning an iconic Martin model is pretty cool.

[Frettingflyer]

Congrats Sprintbob. Of course, we need pics! I hope this guitar brings you many years of enjoyment and I can't wait to see it😀

[Jersey tuning]

I remember reading years ago that Martin braces the back of the D-35 more lightly than the D-28 because they feel the 3 piece back is stronger on gluing than a 2 piece back, accounting for some of the difference in tone between those two Martins.  BTW Bob Taylor does not brace 2 piece back and 3 pieve back Taylors differently.

[Sprintbob]

Both the HD-28 and the HD-35 have scalloped bracing. The HD-28 uses 5/16" bracing and the HD-35 lighter 1/4" bracing. The design basis is the 35 is a more responsive guitar with slightly more low and high end while the 28 can be driven harder. As far as I can tell, Martin players seem evenly split on which one they prefer. I liked the 35 better.

I've got to get this guitar to a luthier. Martin action is quite a bit higher than Taylor action. I tuned it down a half step and put a capo on the first fret to get a feel for how the guitar plays with a lower action similar to my Taylors. I like the lower action much better.

Right now I have Elixir HD Lights on the guitar. Seems like the majority of HD-35 owners like PB strings so I'll be trying different brands in the coming months.

I'll post some pics later today.

[Edward]

It's always cool to have "that icon" of a particular marque one esteems.  For many, it's the D28; for me, I've often toyed with getting a nice OM.

Congrats on the new voice.  Variety is a wonderful luxury to be enjoyed! 

Edward 

[Sprintbob]

Here are a couple of pics:





It's at my local Martin/Taylor dealer for a setup so I should have it back next week. I just put some Elixir HD Lights on it and was pretty pleased with the sound/tone but I'll probably be changing strings on this guitar at least monthly for a while. The action was so high I tuned down a half step and put the capo on the first fret to really enjoy it. I'll post some Soundcloud tracks of this guitar compared to my Taylors when I get it back.
 

[TaylorGirl]

Very nice looking Martin. Enjoy!

[bbarkow]

You're going to really enjoy that HD-35. It's one of the few guitars I truly regret selling. Congratulations!!